Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) was the noble son of Hazrat Dawud (A.S.), a prophet known for his wisdom and justice. Even as a young boy, Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) exhibited great intelligence and insight, earning admiration and respect from those around him. His ability to make fair and just decisions set him apart from his peers. As he grew older, Allah (SWT) chose him as His prophet and blessed him with extraordinary wisdom, unmatched leadership, and miraculous abilities.
One of the most remarkable gifts bestowed upon Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) was the ability to understand and communicate with birds and animals. This divine favor allowed him to govern not only human beings but also the creatures of the earth. Despite his immense wealth, power, and knowledge, Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) remained a humble servant of Allah (SWT), always acknowledging that all goodness and blessings come from Him. He constantly reminded his people, “Thank Allah for the good He has given you and for His generosity. Worship Allah and do good deeds.”
Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) and the Valley of Ants
One day, Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) and his vast army were marching through a valley inhabited by ants. As they advanced, Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) overheard one ant warning the others: “Quick, get out of the way and hide! Sulaiman and his soldiers are approaching, and they might trample upon us without even realizing it.”
With his God-given ability to understand their language, Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) smiled at the ant’s concern. He was deeply moved by the tiny creature’s awareness and care for its fellow ants. Realizing his responsibility towards all of Allah’s creations, he immediately ordered his soldiers to halt and wait until the ants had safely passed. Then, turning to Allah (SWT), he prayed humbly: “O Allah, help me in doing the right things so that You will be happy with me.”
This incident demonstrated Hazrat Sulaiman’s (A.S.) exceptional sense of justice and kindness, reinforcing the importance of compassion towards all living beings, regardless of their size or significance in human eyes.
The Hoopoe Bird and the Kingdom of Saba
One day, Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) summoned all the birds under his command. As he carefully observed the flock, he noticed that one particular bird, the Hoopoe, was missing. He waited for some time, but when the bird did not appear, he considered taking action against it. However, just as he was about to proceed, the Hoopoe arrived, flapping its wings hurriedly and settling beside Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.).
The bird spoke excitedly, “I have come from a far-away land called Saba. The people there are wealthy and prosperous, and they have a Queen who sits on a magnificent throne. However, they do not worship Allah. Instead, they bow before the sun and believe it to be their god. But they are wrong, are they not? True guidance can never be found unless one submits to the One and Only Allah.”
Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) was intrigued by this news. He knew that guidance was a blessing from Allah (SWT), and it was his duty to invite these people towards the truth. Therefore, he wrote a letter addressing the Queen of Saba and entrusted it to the Hoopoe to deliver it to her.
The Queen of Saba Receives Hazrat Sulaiman’s (A.S.) Letter
Upon receiving the letter, the Queen of Saba was taken aback. She read aloud to her court:
“From Sulaiman. In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Do not be arrogant towards me, but come to me in submission to Allah.”
Disturbed by the firm yet respectful message, she turned to her advisors and asked, “What is your counsel? How should we respond to this letter?”
The wise men of her court, proud of their military strength, responded, “We are powerful and have a mighty army. If you wish, we can wage war against Sulaiman.”
However, the Queen, known for her intelligence and wisdom, was not eager for conflict. “War can bring devastation,” she argued. “Our soldiers, once noble warriors, may turn into merciless fighters. I do not wish to plunge my kingdom into destruction without first understanding the intentions of Sulaiman. Instead, I will send him a gift and observe his response.”
Thus, she prepared an elaborate gift filled with treasures and riches and sent her envoys to Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.), hoping to test his motives.
Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) Rejects the Queen’s Gift
When the envoys arrived with their lavish gifts, Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) was deeply displeased. He knew that the Queen was testing his sincerity and assuming that his call to faith was motivated by material gain. Firmly, he rebuked the messengers, “Why do you bring me these riches instead of heeding my message? What Allah has granted me is far superior to all the treasures of this world. Take these gifts back to your Queen and inform her that if she does not submit to Allah, I will come with my army.”
The envoys returned with Hazrat Sulaiman’s (A.S.) message, leaving the Queen astonished. She realized that Sulaiman (A.S.) was unlike any other king—he was not driven by greed or worldly gains. Instead, he sought to guide people towards the truth. This prompted her to undertake a journey to meet Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) personally.
The Queen of Saba Visits Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.)
The Queen of Saba, along with her royal entourage, embarked on the journey to Hazrat Sulaiman’s (A.S.) kingdom. Upon her arrival, she was left in awe by the magnificence of his palace, which reflected both the grandeur and wisdom of his rule. As she approached the entrance, she was led to a hall made of crystal-clear glass that gave the illusion of water flowing beneath it. Thinking it was water, she lifted her dress slightly to avoid getting it wet, only to realize that it was an extraordinary architectural masterpiece.
Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) welcomed her graciously and began speaking to her about the oneness of Allah (SWT). He explained how worshipping the sun was a grave mistake and that true peace and success could only be found through submission to the Creator of the universe.
Touched by his wisdom and sincerity, the Queen of Saba reflected deeply on her beliefs. Eventually, she acknowledged the truth, saying, “You are right, O Sulaiman. From now on, I shall worship only Allah. He is our only Lord, and we should obey only Him.”
Thus, through the wisdom and guidance of Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.), the Queen of Saba embraced Islam, and her people followed suit, renouncing their false beliefs and turning towards the worship of the one true God.
Lessons from the Story of Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.)
- Wisdom and Justice: Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) ruled with fairness and wisdom, always prioritizing justice and truth.
- Humility and Gratitude: Despite his immense power and wealth, he remained humble and constantly thanked Allah (SWT).
- Compassion Towards All Creatures: His interaction with the ants and birds highlights the importance of kindness towards all of Allah’s creations.
- The Power of True Guidance: Wealth and power are temporary, but true success lies in recognizing and worshipping Allah (SWT).
- Effective Communication and Leadership: Instead of resorting to war, Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) used wisdom, patience, and diplomacy to bring an entire nation towards the path of righteousness.
Conclusion
The story of Hazrat Sulaiman (A.S.) is one of wisdom, justice, and faith. It teaches us the value of humility, gratitude, and the pursuit of truth. His ability to rule with wisdom and fairness, his compassion towards all living beings, and his commitment to spreading the message of Allah (SWT) make him one of the most remarkable prophets in history. His legacy remains a guiding light for all those who seek righteousness and truth in their lives.
